}}{{tnr}}'''Cory Gardner''' is a [[Republican]] member of the [[U.S. House]] representing [[Colorado's 4th congressional district]]. Gardner was first elected to the House in 2010.

}}{{tnr}}'''Cory Gardner''' is a [[Republican]] member of the [[U.S. House]] representing [[Colorado's 4th congressional district]]. Gardner was first elected to the House in 2010.

−

Gardner is expected to run for re-election in the [[U.S. Congress elections, 2012|2012 election]] for the [[U.S. House elections, 2012|U.S. House]], representing [[United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado, 2012|Colorado's]] [[Colorado's 4th congressional district elections, 2012|4th District]]. He is seeking the nomination on the Republican ticket. [[Brandon Shaffer]] is running as a Democrat.<ref>[http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_18409098 "Shaffer: I will run for Congress," ''TimesCall.com'', July 4, 2011]</ref> Primary elections were held on June 26, 2012.

+

Gardner was re-elected in the [[U.S. Congress elections, 2012|2012 election]] for the [[U.S. House elections, 2012|U.S. House]], representing [[United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado, 2012|Colorado's]] [[Colorado's 4th congressional district elections, 2012|4th District]]. He is got the nomination on the Republican ticket. [[Brandon Shaffer]] ran as a Democrat.<ref>[http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_18409098 "Shaffer: I will run for Congress," ''TimesCall.com'', July 4, 2011]</ref> Primary elections were held on June 26, 2012.

==Career==

==Career==

Below is an abbreviated outline of Gardner's academic, professional and political career:<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=G000562 ''Biographical Director of the United States Congress'' "Cory Gardner," Accessed November 1, 2011]</ref>

Below is an abbreviated outline of Gardner's academic, professional and political career:<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=G000562 ''Biographical Director of the United States Congress'' "Cory Gardner," Accessed November 1, 2011]</ref>

For details and a full listing of sponsored bills, see the House site.

House Resolution 4899 opposition

Gardner and 38 other Republican Colorado state lawmakers sent a strongly worded letter of opposition to Capitol Hill to thwart a proposal tacked on to House Resolution 4899. The proposal would require state and local governments to participate in collective bargaining with labor groups representing police officers, firefighters, and emergency responders. The letter claimed the proposal would stifle economic recovery in Colorado.

Gardner wrote the letter, addressed to all members of Colorado’s congressional delegation, which characterizes the bill as a "dangerous amendment" to House Resolution 4899 offered by Rep. David Obey, D-Wisconsin.

Citing economic considerations, the letter states that the proposed amendment would cause more harm than good to Colorado’s economy. Gardner says now is not the time to fiddle with the equilibrium currently maintained between labor unions and government.

"Particularly with all of the uncertainty currently surrounding the economy, now is not the time to be making radical changes to the balance between labor unions and local governments," said Gardner. "The amendment that has been attached to this bill will cause further harm to our economy and hinder our economic recovery."

One Democratic lawmaker, Sen. Lois Tochtrop of Thornton, said she wholeheartedly supports the proposal.

“I would support any amendment that would that would help in the process of collective bargaining whether in government, or in the private sector. I do not see any economic harm in allowing employees to have a place at the table,” said Tochtrop.[6][7]

Redistricting

Under a new map approved in 2011, Gardner will no longer represent Larimer County beginning in 2013. “I will work as hard as ever to represent Larimer County through the end of 2012, and I will work as hard as ever in the new district,” Gardner stated.[8]

Larimer County was moved out of the 4th and into the 2nd District. Meanwhile, parts of Douglas, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Otero counties were added to the 4th. The newly configured district gives Republicans a slightly higher advantage.

Issues

Campaign themes

2012

Excerpt: "We’ve got to get this country moving again, and the best way to accomplish that is to get government out of the way. Private businesses generate wealth, not the government. By cutting government and cutting spending, we will allow the marketplace to do its job. "

Fiscal Responsibility

Excerpt: "Our nation is facing historic debt and high unemployment. Washington’s spending spree has to stop. An important step towards regaining the trust of the American people starts by placing this nation on a path to a balanced federal budget. Immediately after being sworn-in, I formally added my name as a co-sponsor of the Balanced Budget Amendment."

Energy

Excerpt: "Energy development at home is the key to powering our nation’s future. Not only is energy independence essential to our national security, but it will help create jobs for American workers. I have always advocated for an “all of the above” approach to energy. That includes development of traditional energy resources, renewable resources and even nuclear power."

Healthcare

Excerpt: "Despite being ruled constitutional, the President’s health care bill still makes it difficult for our economy to grow and takes away the ability of patients to pursue their own health care decisions. The real issue, however, is not whether the law is constitutional or unconstitutional. It is whether it is good or bad for the country. "

Education

Excerpt: "The importance of education cannot be understated. Schools need the resources to be successful, but let’s not also forget that results matter. "

Analysis

Congressional Staff Salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Gardner paid his congressional staff a total of $750,753 in 2011. He ranks 26th on the list of the lowest paid Republican Representative Staff Salaries and he ranks 28th overall of the lowest paid Representative Staff Salaries in 2011. Overall, Colorado ranks 14th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[20]

Net worth

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Gardner's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $-10,987 and $221,999. That averages to $105,506, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican Representatives in 2010 of $7,561,133.[21]

Political positions

Percentage voting with party

November 2011

Cory Gardner voted with the Republican Party 94.5% of the time, which ranked 43 among the 242 House Republican members as of 2011.[22]

Personal

Gardner and his wife, Jamie, have one child.

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term Cory + Gardner + Colorado + House

All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.